100 Words to Use Instead of “Reduce”

100 Words to Use Instead of

No. Term Definition
1. Abate Become less intense.
2. Abridge Shorten without losing meaning.
3. Ameliorate Make better; lessen harm.
4. Attenuate Weaken in force or effect.
5. Austerize Make more austere; cut back.
6. Belittle Make seem less important.
7. Budget-cut Lower spending allocations.
8. Cap Set an upper limit.
9. Chisel down Trim gradually and repeatedly.
10. Clamp down Enforce tighter control.
11. Compact Make denser or smaller.
12. Conserve Use less; save resources.
13. Contract Become smaller or narrower.
14. Curtail Cut short; limit.
15. Cut Make smaller by removing.
16. Cut back Do less; spend less.
17. Cut down Decrease in amount or size.
18. Dampen Lessen intensity or enthusiasm.
19. Decelerate Slow the rate of motion.
20. Decrement Decrease by a set amount.
21. Deduct Subtract from a total.
22. Deflate Make less inflated or proud.
23. Deintensify Make less intense.
24. Deplete Use up; leave less.
25. Depreciate Lower in value over time.
26. Diminish Make or become smaller.
27. Discount Deduct a percentage from price.
28. Downgrade Lower in rank or quality.
29. Downscale Reduce in size or scope.
30. Downshift Move to a lower level.
31. Draw down Use up a supply.
32. Ease Make less severe or tight.
33. Economize Use resources more sparingly.
34. Elide Omit parts in speech or text.
35. Erode Wear away gradually.
36. Exhaust Use up completely.
37. Fewer A smaller number of items.
38. Fine-tune Adjust to a smaller margin.
39. Flag Become less vigorous.
40. Funnel down Narrow choices or scope.
41. Gag Restrict speech or output.
42. Gash Cut deeply; lessen integrity.
43. Gently taper Decrease gradually to an end.
44. Gut Remove most of the contents.
45. Halve Cut into two equal parts.
46. Hobble Limit movement or capability.
47. Hush Make quieter; suppress noise.
48. Impair Make less effective.
49. Inhibit Hold back or restrain.
50. Insulate Limit exposure or impact.
51. Jetison Throw off to lighten load.
52. Knock down Lower a price or figure.
53. Lessen Make smaller in degree.
54. Limit Set boundaries on amount.
55. Liquidate Convert assets; shrink holdings.
56. Lower Move to a smaller level.
57. Make leaner Remove excess; streamline.
58. Minify Make smaller in size.
59. Minimize Make as small as possible.
60. Moderate Make less extreme.
61. Muffle Dull sound or effect.
62. Narrow Make less wide or broad.
63. Neutralize Cancel out an effect.
64. Normalize Bring back to standard levels.
65. Pare Trim away the excess.
66. Pare back Cut back gradually.
67. Pinch Constrain spending tightly.
68. Prune Remove unwanted parts.
69. Pull back Retreat; scale down effort.
70. Purge Remove unwanted elements.
71. Ration Limit allowed amounts.
72. Recalibrate Adjust to a new, lower setting.
73. Reel in Draw back; restrain.
74. Reform Change to lessen faults.
75. Regulate Control to keep within limits.
76. Rein in Restrain from going too far.
77. Restrain Hold back from action.
78. Retract Draw back; take back.
79. Retract spending Pull back expenditures.
80. Scale back Decrease size or activity.
81. Scale down Make smaller in scope.
82. Scrimp Spend as little as possible.
83. Shave Remove a small amount.
84. Shorten Make less long.
85. Shrink Become smaller in size.
86. Simplify Make less complex.
87. Slim Make thinner or less bulky.
88. Slow Decrease speed or rate.
89. Soften Make less harsh.
90. Squeeze Force into a smaller space.
91. Stabilize Prevent further increase.
92. Staunch Stop or slow a flow.
93. Stem Hold back; stop increase.
94. Stint Limit supply or spending.
95. Subdue Bring under control.
96. Subside Become less intense or active.
97. Subtract Take away from a number.
98. Suppress Prevent from being shown.
99. Tame Make less wild or extreme.
100. Taper Diminish gradually.